Polyhouse Resource Center: Design, Cost, Subsidy & Operations

A naturally-ventilated polyhouse (NVPH) uses ridge and side vents with insect-net curtains to exchange air passively. Capital cost lands around ₹935–1,050 per sqm for MIDH-approved CPVC tubular structures. Operating cost is essentially zero because there are no fans or pumps running continuously.

A fan-pad polyhouse adds a cellulose cooling pad wall on one side and exhaust fans on the opposite side. Air is pulled across wet pads, dropping inside temperature 8–12°C below ambient. Capex rises to ₹1,250–1,650 per sqm and electricity becomes a recurring cost (typically 30–60 kWh per 1,000 sqm per day during summer).

Rule of thumb: capsicum, tomato, cucumber, leafy greens and most Indian flowers do well in a properly designed NVPH up to Pune/Hyderabad climate. Above that latitude band, for premium exotics or year-round Dutch rose, fan-pad pays back through higher yields and rejection-free quality.

The CPVC GI tubular structure (Class B, hot-dip galvanised, 80–120 micron coating) is the single largest line item at around 35–40% of project cost. Use only IS 1239 / IS 4923 compliant tubes — under-spec structures fail in cyclonic winds and disqualify subsidy claims.

200-micron UV-stabilised 5-layer polyfilm (Ginegar, Politiv or equivalent) lasts 36–48 months. Side curtains use 40-mesh insect-proof net. Aluminium clip-and-spring polyfilm fixing is mandatory for MIDH approval; wooden batten fixing is rejected.

Irrigation includes a venturi/dosatron fertigation unit, sand-and-screen filtration, 16mm inline drippers at 30cm spacing for vine crops, and overhead foggers for humidity control. Budget 8–12% of project cost here.

MIDH is implemented through the state horticulture mission. Under the MIDH Operational Guidelines 2025, the cost norm for a naturally ventilated tubular polyhouse is ₹1,200/sqm up to 500 sqm, ₹1,050/sqm for 500–1,008 sqm and ₹1,000/sqm for 1,008–2,500 sqm; fan & pad is ₹1,800, ₹1,600 and ₹1,500/sqm for the same bands. Assistance is 50% of the cost norm, and the norms are 15% higher in NE & Himalayan states and scheduled areas. The subsidy is released to the beneficiary after joint inspection.

NHB Scheme 1 (commercial horticulture in protected conditions) is for projects above 4,000 sqm (1,000 sqm in NE states). Since NHB’s Public Circular of 21 August 2026 the subsidy is 35% of eligible project cost (45% in NE, Himalayan and special areas), up to ₹100 lakh per project. NHB requires a bank term loan — the subsidy is released to the bank as back-end credit — and no work may start at site before NHB’s Grant of Clearance (GoC).

Documents needed: land record (khasra/khatauni), DPR with quotation, soil and water test, GST registration, PAN, Aadhaar, bank consent letter. AgriMotion handles end-to-end filing including DPR, site inspection coordination and JIC (Joint Inspection Committee) follow-up.